Books 4 5 a high fantasy.., p.1
Books 4-5: A High Fantasy Novel, page 1
part #2 of A Talnarin Novel Boxed Series
Talnarin Novel Series Boxed Set Books 4-5
D.E. Chapman
A Talnarin Novel Series Boxed Set Books 4-5
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Copyright © 2021 by D.E. Chapman
All rights reserved.
Cover design by EarthlyCharms.com
Cover design by Just.write Creations
Cover image copyright Shutter Stock
Edited by Hannah Bauman at Between the Lines Editorial
Proofed by Heather Bosevski Editing Services
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
For my friends, family, and parents who supported me and encouraged me throughout my life.
Talnarin Novel Series Boxed Set Books 4-5
This book contains the last two books in the Talnarin Novel Series. This series also contains profanity, dark themes, sexual tones, and violence. Slow burn romance, kicka** heroine, enemies to lovers tropes.
A Talnarin Novel Complete Boxed Set Includes:
Broken Pieces
Memories Forged
Table of Contents
Glossary
Veiled Threats
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Fractured Past
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Spilt Secrets
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Broken Pieces
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Memories Forged
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
Bonus Scenes/Deleted Scenes
First Draft Scene Right As Erik Dies
First Draft Short Excerpts That Were Edited Heavily or Removed Completely from Final Book
Alternate Ending to Broken Pieces and Alanna’s Alternative Time Keeping Power
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by D.E. Chapman
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Glossary
Alpoh – Seedless, purple, rounded fruit
Alternro – fruit that alters eye color for forty-eight hours, similar in appearance to dastrol and is often mistaken as such, pale pink, pear shaped, skin is softer
Arb – Pale yellow, star shaped vegetable
Arcons – Term for birds
Berka – Large aggressive creature, single horn above eyes, bear like body structure
Beezles – It’s a medium sized flying insect, has clear wings with veins running through them, similar to dragonfly wings
Bhria – Bird like creature, can fly, small and fragile, very colorful blue feathers, docile and shy creature
Bylir – Name of planet
Capalts –Used for riding, size of horse, scales all along body, leathery wings, large saber teeth, have twisted horns curved over top of head, allows rider to grip, docile and obedient creatures
Cerla – Two tailed cat, size of lion, saber teeth, variations in fur color and patterns
Craforian – Talnarin and human village, coexist but separated from each other by barrier
Cras – plate of tulio and berka meat, cheap dish
Catrel – Capitol of talnarin cities, where royal family resides
Dastrol – similar in appearance to alternro and is often mistaken as such, pale pink, pear shaped, skin is rougher
Dol Trees – Like oaks but twisted trunks, very tall, many branches
Dragonian – Humanoid, water manipulator, gills, webbing, tails and scales
Elestal Affinity – Electrical energy manipulation
Firvo Affinity – Fire energy manipulation
Flokil Affinity – Flora energy manipulation
Freal – God of mercy and love
Gran – Light brown, long and rounded vegetable
Hedra – Goddess of trickery and mischief
Hellvian – Hell, where forsaken souls reside, birth place of rayns and other wraith-like creatures
Inkberries – Smooth round black berries with dull coating, non-poisonous
Jaurdin – leafless plant, beautiful white flower, considered most beautiful to most, and this particular plant is used in the Royal Pair Ceremony
Joult – Human village
Mazir – Giant insect, lives underground, has hard exoskeleton, eight legs, pinchers, destructive creatures
Mindula Affinity – Mental energy manipulation
Mintas – Term for rodents
Nahann – Human village
Nariovark – Human sanctuary below Craforian; houses time keepers
Naviha – Limbo
Nerio – God of creation and life, reigns over other Gods
Nifarion – Humanoid, shadow manipulators, tails with sensory hair, not much else is known
Nightberries – Smooth round black berries with shiny coating, poisonous
Porg – Vegetable, tan and square, edges are rounded
Povios – Term for insects
Ramic – God of death and pain
Rayn – Demons/evil creatures, shadow like wraiths, souls forsaken by the God Nerio
Rediruim – A plant with serrated edges along the leaves and a faint red pigment along the stem, blood red flowers, and this particular plant is used in the Royal Pair Ceremony
Sonya – Goddess of wisdom and arts
Spovidar – Winter Festival
Steriav – plant with flat leaves and short stems, looks like a bush, grows twenty feet high, purple blooms, and this particular plant is used in the Royal Pair Ceremony
Sugavan – Humanoid, air manipulators, long ears and furry, wings
Time Keepers – Humans descended from the royal line with the ability to manipulate time
Tolsi – Human village
Treli – Grilled dish with various starches, vegetables, and berka meat
Tulio – Orange, rounded and grainy starch
Valina – Heaven, afterlife where Gods reside
Velto – Red and round vegetable with faint grooves circling it
Venhir – Giant canine, size of horse, variations in fur color and patterns, large saber tooth fangs, males have horns curved over top of head
Wafi – Small, two eared, four tailed, furry, tree climber, a cross between a cat and a fox
Waldiup – plant with long leaves with black stripe down middle, toxic if ingested, purple flowers, and this particular plant is used in the Royal Pair Ceremony
Warhla – Large bird like creature, size of Labrador dog, can fly, used as postal service, spotted brown feathers, large beak
Wilvidar – Winter Festival
Part 1
Broken Pieces
Broken Pieces
Alanna may have survived her encounter with her past, but it left a mark on her soul, one she doesn’t think will ever get clean.
While her relationship with the talnarins at Craforian has improved, Alanna knows that secrets are still being kept. Unbeknownst to them all, Alanna’s already discovered a couple using a few tricks of her own. And to complicate matters, Alanna is beginning to feel things for Malik; emotions she doesn’t understand.
When Malik brings her through a secret underground maze, Alanna realizes that there is more to Craforian than meets the eye. Only a select few know of the tunnels twisting beneath Craforian and why they're there. Now she’s one of them, and for good reason.
And just when Alanna settles back into a routine, a nefarious plot unravels as an assassin makes himself known.
Can she save the people she loves in time? Or is she once again three steps behind?
Warning: This series contains profanity, dark themes, sexual tones, and violence. Slow burn romance, kicka** heroine, enemies to lovers tropes.
Chapter 1
Nothing but dark wood walls greet my eyes.
After everything that happened in that cavern, the group rushed me back to Craforian as quickly as possible.
The rich colors of the guest room are soothing, not at all like the sterile feeling of the infirmary. Maybe that’s why they moved me here instead.
It’s funny, I thought I’d feel … differently.
I had expected an overwhelming sense of relief. I’d thought I’d feel … something else.
I don’t even know what I expected to feel, really. All I could focus on was ending Lucien. To me, that was the only thing that mattered. My overwhelming need to avenge the ones I love most was my mission. But somewhere along the line, that mission became more.
It’s not only about Lucien anymore. It’s about ending those who followed his ways, protecting others from mine and my family’s fate. It gives me another purpose to reach for in this fractured life.
The emotions raging through me the past two days have been so conflicting. Peace rages with fury. Sorrow mingles with elation. Despite completing my goal of killing Lucien, I don’t feel any better. In fact, I feel worse.
There’s no joy in killing.
Even with a madman like Lucien.
All lives hold weight. All lives are their own. Who am I to judge if someone should live or die? It’s highhanded, arrogant.
Playing god is wrong.
It scarred me in a way I didn’t think possible, leaving a mark on my soul forever. I will carry this burden with me to the afterlife.
The same question has been on repeat in my head: did he need to die?
I’m never going to know the answer. A part of me believes it was necessary. Another part pities the life lost.
His look of utter betrayal will haunt me until my dying day. The sight of all that blood … it digs deep. That memory has me in its grip, refusing to let go. Every time I close my eyes, it’s all I see. It’s unnerving, especially when I think about what the future might hold.
How many more lives will I take until this chaos ends?
How many more nightmares will I earn?
My memories take me back to two days prior, back to the cavern, the smell of burnt flesh lingers in my nose.
I cry as I purge. Purging what, I don’t know. All the while, Malik holds me gently. His arms are like a lifeline around me, safe and comforting.
I don’t know how long we stand there. I’m overly conscience of the stiffening body behind me, overly conscience of the corpse in the cavern.
I’m not sure how that makes me feel.
Malik gently pulls away and wipes my tears. I stare at nothing, hearing only murmurs. I let myself fall away into beautiful numbness, allowing myself to forget. I’m distantly aware the tears have stopped. My body sags, limbs heavy. My heart and head pound in tandem.
Movement to the side draws my attention. A warm hand clasps my shoulder reassuringly, and with a gentle push, my body sags to the ground. I absently grip my legs and hug them close to my chest. I teeter to the side and lean my shoulder against Zeke’s warmth. A second body drops to my other side. Elaine presses close, offering silent comfort.
Kelog silently comes up behind Malik. “I need to look at her wounds.”
Malik doesn’t bother turning around. “No, I’ll do it.” Kelog’s eyes widen but he doesn’t argue. He moves back to stand with the others by the entrance. Malik moves closer and crouches before me. “Alanna, I’m going to look at your back now, alright?”
I don’t respond. I simply stare blankly into his soft golden eyes. Malik takes it as permission. He gets up and moves around me slowly, as if to not frighten me. Zeke and Elaine press in close, offering more of their silent comfort.
From behind me Malik says, “Are you in pain?”
Robotically, I shake my head. I don’t feel the pain anymore. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Surely I should feel something. After all, I’m missing a wing. But my body is numb. Just like my thoughts.
Distantly, Malik murmurs, “I’m going to numb the pain as best as I can. This will hurt.” That should terrify me. Scare me. But it doesn’t. His words simply don’t register.
The silence only lasts a few moments before my body jerks and a faint humming noise fills the air.
Still, I don’t move.
Time passes. I don’t know how much. Eventually, Malik moves in front of me. He crouches there, eyes a soft golden hue.
He’s beautiful. Hauntingly handsome. My heart squeezes painfully at the sight, because his eyes are so much like His.
And what did I do?
I killed Him.
I hear murmuring once more. I focus harder. “… Anna… Alanna.”
My eyes snap back open, but when they fell, I don’t know. Malik looks concerned, his brows are furrowed and there’s a tightness around his mouth as he pinches them closed. I feel like that should concern me.
But it doesn’t.
“Alanna. We’re going to go home now.”
The words are slow to absorb. Home? Where is home? My home is abandoned. Everyone is gone. There is nothing left of my home.
“Do you wish to keep your wing?”
My eyes focus once more.
Wing? Which one? Gently Malik cradles a broken silver wing. It’s crumbled and bloody. It looks familiar. I want it. It’s mine now. Absently, I reach for the thing. Expecting to fight for it, my eyes widen slightly when its gently placed in my hand. I grip it tight.
Malik gives me one last, long lingering look before moving on. He toes the lump of burnt flesh with open hostility. The sight is surprising. The other four males step forward. “Search the area. Capture any rogues you come across. If there are any survivors, secure them.”
I hear the words, but nothing processes. I have this sense there’s something important I need to tell them. To warn them about. I just can’t remember what it was.
Then it hits.
I slowly grip Zeke’s arm. Glancing up, I see him look down at me with concern too. Somehow, I manage to find the strength to speak. My voice is low. “They’re waiting outside.”
His brows furrow as he leans closer. “What?”
I mumble the same words again. “They’re waiting outside.”
Zeke’s eyes widen marginally. He keeps his eyes on me and he says, “Malik. There are other rogues waiting for us outside. Ambush.”
I look away as movement from the corner of my eye draws my attention. Three males move quickly, leaving the cave. Mikhail remains behind as he leans over the burnt mass on the stone floor. His words echo, as if I’m in a tunnel.
